The CSO uses ‘primary data’ and ‘secondary data’ to produce statistics. We collect primary data from people through surveys. Secondary data about people is collected from public bodies. The Statistics Act, 1993 provides the basis for our collection and use of data. This notice explains how we use data in survey work.
The Equality Data Audit User Survey is being carried out by the CSO as part of an action relevant to all civil and public service bodies under the National Equality Data Strategy. Civil and public service bodies will complete, and annually update, this audit to identify data already being collected, identify data gaps, and monitor improvements in systems. Participation in this survey is voluntary.
Statistics are about populations. This means we are interested in all survey responses, rather than any particular respondent. After collection, responses are pooled, validated, and identifiers are removed. For example: birthdays will be flattened, identification numbers will be substituted, or names will be removed. Statistical analysis is performed only by CSO staff who are Officers of Statistics and have signed a secrecy declaration.
As well as producing statistics, we co-ordinate other public bodies’ statistical compilation and support research. The Equality Data Audit publication will summarise information regarding public bodies equality data holdings.
Responses will be used only for statistical purposes and cannot be put to any other use. Confidentiality is protected by law; with their consent, public bodies will be identified as part of the Equality Data Audit publication.
We use the Generic Statistical Business Process Model to produce statistics. The model’s evaluation phase uses the CSO Data Management Policy to consider retention.
You have the right to access your data, rectify it, have it erased, to restrict its use, or object to its use. We will facilitate you as much as we can, but your rights may be limited in some circumstances. You also have the right to complain to the Data Protection Commission, which can be contacted by post at 6 Pembroke Row, Dublin 2, D02 X963, by phone at 01 765 0100 or 1800 437 737, or online at dataprotection.ie.
If you have a question about your data rights, contact our Data Protection Officer by post at CSO, Ardee Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 FX52 or by email via dpo@cso.ie.
If you want to know more about this survey, contact Laura Delaney by post at Central Statistics Office, Ardee Road, Dublin 6, D06 FX52, by phone at 01 498 4156, or by email via equalitydata@cso.ie.